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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 14

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met in a televised session at 1:02 p.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Scott Reid, presiding.

Members of the Subcommittee present: Hon. Jason Kenney, Wayne Marston, Scott Reid, Mario Silva and David Sweet.

Acting Members present: Vivian Barbot for Caroline St-Hilaire and Hon. Dominic LeBlanc for Hon. Irwin Cotler.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Marcus Pistor, Analyst ; Robert Dufresne, Analyst.

Witnesses: As individuals: David M. Crane, Professor, College of Law, Syracuse University; Hon. Roméo A. Dallaire, Senator.

Pursuant to the motion adopted by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, November 13, 2007 and the motion adopted by the Subcommittee, March 11, 2008, the Subcommittee resumed its study of the Omar Khadr case.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

Mario Silva moved, — Whereas, the military junta currently ruling Burma (Myanmar) has put their own power above the wellbeing of their citizens

And whereas, the suffering of the Burmese people is even more severe in the wake of recent natural disasters And whereas, a fundamental principle of international human rights is the responsibility of each government to protect their own population

And whereas, the military junta currently ruling Burma (Myanmar) is unable and unwilling to adequately deal with the humanitarian needs of its population at this time

And whereas, the military junta currently ruling Burma (Myanmar) has severely restricted the ability of international aid workers to operate in Burma to help alleviate the terrible suffering there

And whereas, there are reports that the military junta currently ruling Burma (Myanmar) is using humanitarian aid to their own population as a means of propping up their own regime through the upcoming referendum

Be it resolved that the Subcommittee condemn the refusal of the Burmese military junta now in power to allow humanitarian aid into the country to assist the victims of the recent disaster, and that it urge the military junta to open the doors to international aid, supplies and humanitarian aid workers.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

David Sweet moved, — That the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development hear witnesses to deliberate on the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan and elsewhere.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

At 2:09 p.m., the Subcommittee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Roger Préfontaine
Clerk of the Subcommittee

2008/05/14 11:59 a.m.